The Italians know how to cater for a party. No mini-gherkins or pineapple chunks on sticks for our Italian confederates. They'd rather serve a plate of finely sliced parma hams and soft, creamy cheeses and get everybody leaning over the table, fighting for the last slices. That's the way to bring a group of people together Italian style and that's what Giorgio Locatteli's restaurant offers up to its city punters: great platefuls of Italian delicacies, sourced and served by guys who know their stuff.
When the Londontown.com restaurant reviewing team headed City-wards we didn't really know what to expect. Firstly, there were two menus - one, Convivium, was full of food to share, while the other was a more traditional menu with pastas and meats and fish. Being naturally adventurous types, we decided to start with a mass of meats and cheeses from the Convivium section and we weren't disappointed. There was nutty-sweet ham, and smoked, creamy-soft lard in the meats selection and a spicy, acidic pecorrino and soft, sweet Gorgonzola in the cheese plate. All were absolutely lip-smackingly delicious.
However, unsatisfied (and dedicated) reviewers that we were, we wanted to taste the pasta dishes too. Giorgio knows his stuff when it comes to pasta so the lobster sauce I had was carefully matched with the rigatoni pasta. Basically, that meant that the smooth, flavoursome sauce stuck to the pasta, giving it a deliciously gooey and lobstery coating. Alas, these two courses were so filling that we had no room for dessert, but, rest assured, our quick survey of people sitting nearby suggested that they were as good as (if not better than) the excellent main courses.
You're not going to get a more Italian restaurant in the city. Staffed by authentically stroppy waiters who serve only the finest and most carefully sourced foods, this restaurant is a real treat and should be savoured. Whether you're in the mood for a snack or a full three course meal, this Refetorrio should be top of your list for places to eat.
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